Vol. 563 No. 4
193 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason his Department has introduced a charge of ?1.78 for envelopes sent to farmers with headage payments and other material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7759/03]
My Department introduced these postal arrangements for the submission of area aid application forms in 2000. The arrangements were put in place primarily, to give applicants a guarantee of delivery. The Swiftpost receipt issued by An Post also provides applicants with proof that their area aid application has been submitted. This receipt will be given to applicants automatically on payment of the Swiftpost fee in their post office. In all other cases, where applicants are submitting their applications by post they are advised to obtain certificates of postage.
